Tourists and tour operators express concern over Thailand-Cambodia conflict affecting travel plans
The war between the two countries entered its fourth day with heavy shelling on both sides of the border.
There are no cancellations yet because most tourists from Kerala visit Bangkok and Pattaya, while the travel season is yet to start in Cambodia.
However, travel and tour operators are worried that cancellations will start if the conflict continues.
Sejo Jose of IATO said trips to Thailand are not affected because the tourist spots included in the advisory are not popular with tourists from state. Most of the people from Kerala visit Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.
These areas are not affected by the shelling, he added.
Nevertheless, the continuing conflict causes worry among travel operators who have called their counterparts in Thailand to find out if it's safe to send tourists, said Jose. Basheer Ahemed, committee member for south of Outbound Tour Operators Association, said travel is not affected at the moment. "But it will be a problem if the conflict continues. Life is normal in Bangkok and Pattaya.
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Our counterparts in Thailand are positive about tourism and the safety of tourists," he added.
Though Cambodia is one of the most popular new destinations, the conflict may not affect travel because this is the off-season. "For Kerala, Cambodia is off-season. People will start to travel to Cambodia from mid-August. Tourists will be affected if the conflict continues. Most of the people from Kerala combine Vietnam and Cambodia," Jose said.
Manjari Singhal, chief growth and business officer, Cleartrip, said, "We saw a marginal decline in cancellations to Thailand and Cambodia since the week of July 24. With travel to alternate Southeast Asian destinations holding steady, the recent ceasefire, along with upcoming long weekend and festive season, is anticipated to boost travel to these destinations."
The tour operators and tourists are waiting for a ceasefire declaration so that travel will become normal.
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